Many of the most important works by acclaimed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto can be attributed to a single design element: the L-leg. The L-shaped design allowed legs to be attached directly to Aalto’s sophisticated tables and seating, without the need for a connecting joint. This innovation, which he called “the little sister of the architectural column,” characterized the designer’s penchant for simple, easily adaptable furniture pieces, such as the side tables, coffee tables and dining tables he created, which straddled elegance and simplicity.
Developed in partnership with furniture manufacturer Otto Korhonen and patented in 1933, the L-shaped leg — the result of Aalto’s experimentation with bending birchwood, a pioneering technique at the time — would become a hallmark of tables, stools (see his iconic Stool 60), benches and chairs that Aalto designed and produced through his company, Artek, which he cofounded in 1935 with his wife and designer Aino, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. The company quickly found success selling streamlined, modern furniture both in Finland and, thanks to a growing interest in Nordic furniture outside Scandinavia, internationally, including the UK where many early Artek pieces were imported by the company Finmar.
Like much of his furniture, most of Aalto’s tables, especially early models, are constructed either fully or in part with birch, which the designer referred to as a “form-inspiring, deeply human material.” The flexibility of his L-leg design allowed for easily interchangeable combinations of tabletops. It also standardized the design process for multiple shapes, with the same bentwood L-legs attached to round, square or rectangular tops for a variety of table models. This look is a hallmark of Aalto’s style — and, indeed, of mid-century Scandinavian modern design in general. It has been frequently riffed on and copied throughout the ensuing decades, though Artek still produces Aalto’s original designs.
Find a wide range of vintage Alvar Aalto tables on 1stDibs.
Scandinavian Modern Vintage White Alvar Aalto Tea Cart 900 Artek, 1937, Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian modern Oorganic vintage tea cart 900 by Alvar Aalto for Artek designed 1937 Finland and manufactured 1980s. A wonderful timeless tea car...
Birch
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.5 in W 25.5 in D 35.5 in
Tea Trolley 900 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Early Model
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
The tea trolley was inspired by British tea culture, which Aino and Alvar Aalto had become acquainted with though their many travels, as well as by the Japanese woodwork and architec...
Ceramic, Rattan, Bentwood
Serving trolley 901 by Alvar Aalto, Artek Finland
By Aino Aalto, Artek
Located in Argelato, BO
Alvar Aalto's 901 trolley is one of the icons of Finnish modern design, presented for the first time at the Milan Triennale in 1936. The bar or tea trolley features a birch wood frame and white linoleum-covered trays. Soberly elegant, the Aalto trolley...
Rubber, Birch
Alvar Aalto Artek Table Finland 1940s Vintage Original
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch. Round with L-legs. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1940s-1950s and is in good used condition. The bottom of the table has an old Artek stamp. D...
Birch
Model 900 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 900 cart, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, ceramic tiles, rattan basket. Marked. Good vintage condition, patina and minor wear consistent with age...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
Model 901 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, Mid-20th Century
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 901 tea cart, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, Mid-20th Century. Birch frame with black linoleum table tops. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and us...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Tea Trolley 900 Modern Bar Cart
By Alvar Aalto
Located in North York, ON
Alvar Aalto tea trolley 900 Modern bar cart. Iconic Scandinavian modern design by Alvar Aalto. The trolley features ceramic tiles, and a ra...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
Authentic Tea Trolley 901 in Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek
By Artek, Hella Jongerius, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Authentic tea trolley 901 in birch and white laminate by Alvar Aalto & Artek. Alvar Aalto's tea trolleys serve as highly functional and distinctive a...
Birch
Scandinavian Modern Round Dining Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Scandinavian Modern round dining table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Teak. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) ...
Teak
Alvar Aalto Serving Trolley 901 by Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
901 Serving Trolley by Alvar Aalto. Authentic, stamp on bottom. 90s. Birchwood frame and linoleum covered trays. 35w 20d 20h
Laminate, Wood
$7,271
H 20.67 in W 39.38 in D 24.81 in
Vintage Functionalist Desk by Alvar Aalto, Artek, Finland, 1930s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Desk by Alvar Aalto made from birch with original green top. Lovely, clean lines. Neat size, small drawer to the left.
Birch
$4,149
H 23.23 in W 35.83 in D 24.41 in
Alvar Aalto for Artek Cart "900" in Birch and Tile, Finland 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Naples, IT
The 900 trolley, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, is a classic Finnish design with English tea culture and Japanese woodwork and architecture as its sources of inspiration. Alvar A...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
$57,854
H 22.84 in W 25.2 in D 35.83 in
Serving trolley 'Model 900' designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Sweden, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Stockholm, SE
This 'Model 900' serving trolley designed by Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino Aalto for Artek has a frame in moulded birch, a tiled top in green sourced from Fiskars, a woven rattan bas...
Rattan, Rubber, Birch